Art Of Contrast In Women In Love

Women in Love has been regarded as one of D.H.Lawrence's finest achievements. It does not have the chronological plot as The Rainbow does, which narrates one generation after another. Instead, Women in Love proceeds through a series of counterpointed scenes, which may appear unconnected and random but are coherent according to its thematic development. This thesis tends to approach Women in Love from the art of contrast, in order to analyze the theme and the deep meaning of the novel. In this novel, there are two contrasted relationships: Birkin and Ursula, who struggle for self-identity and mutual understanding;Gerald and Gudrun, who are involved in a struggle for supremacy by the abuse of will. The two juxtaposed love affairs have different denouement: Birkin and Ursula got a kind of equilibrium;but Gerald and Gudrun's love went to death.The thesis consists of three parts:Chapter One focuses the analysis on the characters' human nature. Both Gerald and Gudrun, have the tendency of dominating others, they are influenced by the industrial civilization, they do things according to the mental consciousness;on the other hand, Birkin and Ursula can tolerate each other and give each other a free place in their mind, and they are supported by the blood consciousness to get the equilibrium.Chapter Two discusses the contrast of the plot. Their different love experiences have different results. Ursula and Birkin, who symbolize the new world, have gained rebirth through their harmonious sexual relations. Birkin emphasizes the need of the two lovers to be spiritual companions to each other as well as participants in physical love relationship. Their love is harmonious, and they get the rebirth. Gerald and Gudrun always want to dominate and control each other, so their love is inharmonious and must go to destruction.Chapter Three studies the contrast of setting and imagery. Different images have different implications. In this chapter, the setting and images show the contrast of the two kinds of love, and suggest the different love denouement.Lawrence's ideal relationship between man and woman is "star-equilibrium"relationship, that means man and woman should be harmonious either in mind or in body;on the other side, they should keep a certain distance, and have their own freedom, balancing each other like two stars. Lawrence believes that the harmonious sexual relationship between man and woman can solve the problems that the industrialized world has brought to us. It is unreasonable, for he denies the effect of social moral criterion and he ignores the fact that creating a new world must rely on the strength of the masses. His writing skills are outstanding, and his intention is good, but he has his own limitation in mind toward the social life.